Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Clinique Almost Spring: Almost Lipstick and Blushwear Cream Stick swatches

Clinique's Almost Spring collection re-introduces their popular Almost Lipstick plus a new Blushwear Cream Stick. Although the bestselling Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has iconic status in the US, the Almost Lipstick range was not widely available in Asian markets previously. For this spring, Clinique has designed new sheer shades of Almost Lipstick with hues ranging from natural nudes to pretty pinks to deep violets and reds. These are designed to be fool-proof and offering just a fresh tint of glossy color. In Singapore, Almost Lipstick will retail at S$33 starting in February (versus US$15 in the US; £16 in the UK; €20 in France). In Switzerland, they are CHF31.90 (about S$44). While these are meant to be sheer, I found Tender Honey, Lovely Honey and Shy Honey apply primarily as a clear glossy sheen with barely any color at all to justify the price tag. You can see more swatches on Best Things in Beauty and Makeup Stash.#41 Flirty Honey will not be available in Singapore. In the US and Europe, the Almost Spring collection also includes four Blushwear Cream Sticks but as these were not mentioned in the press release for Singapore, I suspect they will not be available in Singapore. Also, the shades available in the US and UK are slightly different from other European countries. The US and UK received Glow Blush, Peachy Blush, Rosy Blush and Shy Blush, while some European countries like Switzerland received #7 Black Honey in place of Glow Blush. You can see more pics and swatches of the Cream Stick in Black Honey on Buntewollsocke Bloggt. The Blushwear Cream Sticks retail at US$21 in the US, £20 in the UK and CHF46.90 in Switzerland. The price differences are just ridiculous as the US price is about S$27 while the Swiss price works out to about S$64! While the Cream Sticks have a nice creamy texture with good color payoff, the Swiss retail price is just too much of a blatant rip-off. In celebration of Valentine's Day, Clinique will release a Kiss and Be Happy Set (S$58) in Singapore on 1 February. It includes Happy 30ml, Happy Body Cream 30ml, Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Chunky Cherry 1.2g and a cheery drawstring pouch.